Orthopaedic Surgery

Answer 1 Medial patellofemoral ligament. Several authors have evaluated the restraints to medial and lateral translation of the patella.1,2. At 20 degrees of flexion, the medial patellofemoral ligament plays the largest role in restraining the patella against lateral translation. In a study by Desio et al,1 the medial patellofemoral ligament contributed 60% of the total restraining force, while the medial patellar meniscal ligament and lateral retinaculum contributed 13% and 10% of the total force. The medial patellar, tibial, and superficial fibers of the medial retinaculum were not important in preventing lateral translation1 Similarly, Conlan et al2 found that the medial patellofemoral ligament contributed 53% of the total restraining force to lateral translation of the patella. REFERENCES 1. Desio SM, Burks RT, Bachus KN. Soft tissue restraints to lateral patellar translation in the human knee. Am J Sports Med 1998;26:59-65. 2. Conlan T, Garth WP Jr, Lemons JE. Evaluation of the medial soft-tissue restraints of the extensor mechanism of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg 1993;75:682-93. Click here to return to the questions

Hospital Physician     JCOM     Seminars in Medical Practice Hospital Physician Board Review Manuals About TWC    Subscribe    Contact TWC    Home    Search   Site Map Copyright © 2009, Turner White Communications Updated 1/04/08 • kkj